The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-01-01

TRY OF the Valley were absent that day. 4
Ewedding feast at Herr Vogers was not to
be despised
Very fair and sweet looked the expected
bride. Her uncle had bought her a new
gown-a soft, gray silk, on the silvery sheen
of which were embroidered blue flowers =
"reryissmeinnicht' ''-fcrget-me-nots. Ma
rie Barbara sighed as she looked at them
sighed at thought of Ethan No wonder
that there were those who thought she
looked too pale and sad for bride. But
the tide of merriment was unchecked.
While they waited the coming of the Luth-
eran dominic who was to tie the nuptial
knot, there was much stripping of the light
fantastic toe" The ebon fiddler played
his maddest airs-the long room resounded
with pattering footsteps.
In sundry clusters the elderly hauS-
trduen nibbled sweet-cakes and gossiped;
their husbands chatted together, discussing
the war and filling the room with blue
smoke from their long g-stemmed pipes.
While the gentry thus enjoyed them
selves in the best room, the poorer folk of
the settlement were having good time in
the kitchen. As was usual at that time,
the Indians formed no small part of the
| esslers. In they streamed-brawny brave
and swarthy squaw, the latter, perhaps,
with,a papoose or two upon her back All
carried huge osier baskets, which they expec-
ted to be filed with goodly supply of provi-
sions. The Dutchman's New Years Day
was considered fine thing by the noble
red man
However, this year of all others, Herr
Vogel was particularly desirous that his
savage guests should be well treated, being
anxious to adopt the policy laid down by
the Johnsons and other influential tory
settlers-a policy tending to conciliate the
Indians and make them become allies of
the Crown.
So, o,stepping aside from his guests, Herr
Vogel beckoned to his niece. "Marie Bar
bara," he said in low tones, "Look to it
that the redskins have all they wish. Let
none go away unsatisfed They eat like
pigs, to be sure, but never mind; we must
do well by for there is much at stake
Give the H1inrztbey're fond
of that ASough.
sFhese, see thas( :
come in-that Ofs
ing. Where is that M1y
her give him food and drink MiHd
Marie Barbara, see that he is served.
Marie Barbara stepped through the open
door out into the kitchen to do her uncles
bidding. Going up to the Indian of whom
Herr Vogel had spoken, she inquired
whether he would like anything to eat.
Something in his attitude struck her as
being peculiar, and as she looked up into
his dark visage her face suddenly paled,
and she caught nervously at the side of the
door to steady her trembling limbs.
"Marie Barbara" whispered the Oneida
in tones strangely familiar, "NIarie Barba-
IA, tell me, is it of your own free will and
hearts desire that you are to wed Hermann
Schumacher to-day?
"No no! But oh, Ethan Is it you?
They told me you were dead and l believed
it. How came-?"
"Hist Be careful p warned the Ouei-
da, whom our readers doubtless suspect
was no other than young Grey, "Be care
full or you will betray me and ruin us both
Danish that frightened look from your face
Be calm, and all willge, we'll But are
you ready to leave all for my sake, sweet
heart ?"
eyes yes!" she faltered. '.But how
what shall 1 do?"
"Then give heed to what say. Treat
me as though l were naught but heath
enish redskin. Bid me, as carelessly as you
can to come and have my basket filled.
Pretend that you must go to the cellar to
draw the beer. Gretchen is there-she is
a friend, as are several of the Indians here,
who will try to divert the attention of the
company, so that our absence will be un-
noticed"
Outwardly calm, but with much inward
trepidation, Marie Barbara did as her lover
babe her All went well, and they soon
found themselves in the cellar. Here, old
Gretchen awaited them, her wrinkled face
pale and anxious.
"Have you your mistress's cloak and
hood ?" asken Ethan. "Ah, yes, l see.
Put them on quickly, Marie Barbara, for
we've no time to spare"
"But, Ethan, how can we get away?
The company are all at the window watchs
ing for the Dominic we couldn't
fail of being seen were we to go down the
road.
Her lover laughed low.
$50 down the road 1 will, in sight of
them all, too And you shall 90 also
only in my big basket Here" throwing
back the cover and tossing out the bread
and meat Marie Barbara had put in up
stairs; "here, step in, and curl yourself up
like the wee fairy that you are Lucky it
is that you are not big, buxom Johanna
Van Tasselr p
Half laughing, half crying, Marie Bar
bara obeyed. She was a snug fit, indeed,
but when the was fastened down there
was nothing in the sight of the sturdy
Oneida, who, a minute of two later, trudged
steadily down the snowy road-nothing
whatever to attract the attention of Herr
Vogel and his guests assembled at the win
dow, watching for the coming of Dominic
Visscher
Meanwhile, when quite out of sight,
quarter of mile or SO down the road,
Ethan carefully deposited his precious load
upon the snow. The cover was lifted, and
out stepped Marie Barbara, ready to mount
the horse friend of her lover had waiting
there. A touch of the spur and they were
off
"'-over bank, bush and scar
They'll have feet steeds that follow quoth young
Lochinvar."
Only Ethan Grey didn't say that, exactly,
as Scott had not immortalized his border
hero then.
However, Ethan, with his young bride,
got away safely. And, though one of the
bravest and most active in the conflict that
soon after filled the colonies with desolation,
sword and bullet spared his life, and he and
Marie Barbara had long, happy years to-
gether.